I call myself blessed because of all my family and friends.
Thank you for taking the time to read some of my reflections. Lately, I am taking more joy in the simple things rather than getting involved in too many things. Although I have a few commitments on my plate, I am thankful that God has taught me to value and take joy in such simple pleasures.
Outdoors:
I enjoyed going to the "Bridge of Nowhere" on December 17. Dawn was our ringleader, and she invited a group of people to go bungee jump in honor of Marcus’s birthday. The reason for the name of this bridge is due to the fact that the government abandoned its effort to build a road using this bridge. So now it lies 5 miles deep in the Angeles National Forest. Dawn had discovered a group called "Bungee America" and this is the company that helps stage stunts for Fear Factor and other television shows. This was a reliable company, and if you are interested in more information, please take a look at their website: http://www.bungeeamerica.com/nowhr.htm I had a great time jumping off the bridge, and I hope to post some pictures on this blog soon.
Karate:
I am training more consistently in order to prepare for the Nationals Karate Tournament that will be held this year in Alberqueque, New Mexico. I shall be gone March 30-April 2. I shall be competing in three areas: forms (kata/self defense), sparring (kumite/point fight matches), and weapons. I thank God for the opportunity to train. It will probably take me the next two years, if I am dedicated to the task, to earn my black belt. I hope to use this knowledge of self-defense to help teach others in the future. My style is called "Keichu Do" and I train under the Crothers family. The official website for our dojo is: http://spaces.msn.com/members/keichuvista/
Also, if you are interested to see a picture from my tournament in November, you can look at the following website: http://martibass2.blogspot.com/
Family:
I enjoyed Christmas because I was able to see both of my brothers. My brother Joel flew out from New York, and it was great to have all of us together again. My brother Jared is leaving for Idaho on this Sunday, so I also won’t have him around either. We have family friends that have bought a race track in Boise, Idaho, so they asked my brother if he was interested to start a restaurant that would serve the customers. Jared realizes that he will be busy, but he is excited by the new venture. Also, both of my brothers are seriously dating two beautiful and wonderful women, and I enjoy getting to know both of them.
We opened gifts on Christmas morning. Joel is wearing his "New York" hat that he now owns.
This is Jared's girlfriend named Laura. She wants to become an elementary teacher, enjoys cooking and likes to spend time outdoors. There is a natural grace and love that radiates from her. I think she complements Jared well.
This is Joel's girlfriend named Francesca. She graduated from Boston University with a Computer Graphics degree, and she works a few jobs in order to live in New York City. They explore New York together, and she is incredibly kind and a good listener. I plan to visit them during my Spring Break in April.
Camp Alandale:
During the first weekend of February, I shall be serving again as a counselor at Camp Alandale, located near the town of Julian. This is the junior high camp, and I am excited to see the kids again from the summer. I shall be sending out an email asking for prayer support in the next two weeks. I thank God for the opportunity to be involved in this ministry because it is powerful to see how God’s Word can bring healing to these kids’ lives. In addition to God’s Word, I have learned how important it is to develop genuinely loving relationships with these kids, so they feel God’s love in a real and meaningful way. (My account of the high school winter camp is on the website: http://martibass2.blogspot.com/
Christmas and New Year’s Eve:
Again, God blessed me tremendously through visits to family members and friends. The following are some pictures of who I visited, and I love you all so dearly. 
This is my beloved aunt, uncle and cousin Nick at our family's Christmas party. My Aunt Mary inspires me to sew, but of course, not to eat hummus.
These are my loving grandparents whom I adore. I had the opportunity to hear them sing at their church on Christmas Eve, and it was so beautiful for me to listen.
I am with my beloved friend Lori. She is pregnant and expected to give birth around March 17 (it's coming up quick!). She has moved from South Dakota to work at UC Santa Barbara with the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Okay, probably not a good picture of me, but at least baby Madison looks cute! Baby Madison is truly a God's send and miracle, and I enjoyed spending time with Carin, who is her aunt. Actually, they accompanied me to the mall where I had my ears pierced for the first time!
Right Picture: These are my good friends, Tracy and Brooke, who I known since high school. They amaze me with their gifts and talents.
Left Picture: This is my Dad and my aunt. I celebrated New Year's Eve with her. I helped her cook all day, so we could serve a Carribbean meal to everyone that night. We both share a common love: cooking ethnic food!
God’s Word:
As there have been many blessings, there have been times of sadness for me. God has brought me a lot of comfort through His word, and I can understand now why King David had wrote, "How sweet are your promises to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103). In another pslam, David cries out, "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you!"
There are two passages that God has used to strengthen me. First off, a wise woman in my Bible Study shared with me about Psalm 73. In this psalm, the author shares how he was angry and jealous about how evil people seemed to prosper, and yet the author himself felt he was suffering incredibly and God didn’t seem to be helping him. I was touched how the author was expressing genuine pain and doubts, and I was deeply moved when I noticed how God gave comfort to this man. The author realizes the destiny of these evil people (verse 17) and then concludes, "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (verses 23-26). As this man was consoled, I felt God telling me to give all my concerns and doubts over to Him because He is my loving Father.
The second passage that is currently on my mind is James 5:10-11. James tries to encourage the other Christians to be patient in their suffering. He states, "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of sufferin, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY." !Que maravilloso! I must confess that I lack faith in God’s incredible character, and how He has the best in store for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Please pray for me that I shall persevere and continue to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
posted by martibass @ 11:04 AM
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